Subcooler and air conditioner including the same

ABSTRACT

A subcooler and an air conditioner including the same are provided. The includes a supercooling body to receive a first refrigerant passed through a condenser and a second refrigerant branched from the first refrigerant, a plurality of internal tubes provided inside the supercooling body and through which the first refrigerant flows, a flow path through which the second refrigerant flows, the flow path being a space external to the internal tubes in the supercooling body, and a baffle to support at least one of the internal tubes, wherein the baffle comprises a baffle body having an outer circumferential surface that is coupled to the supercooling body, a through-hole formed at the baffle body and through which a first internal tube of the internal tubes passes, and a support groove to support a second internal tube of the internal tubes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and 35 U.S.C. §365to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0058054, filed in Korea on Apr.24, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a subcooler and an air conditionerincluding the same.

2. Background

An air conditioner is an apparatus which controls an indoor temperatureto create a pleasant indoor air environment. For example, as disclosedin Korean Patent Publication No. 2013-0027290, a conventional airconditioner generally includes an indoor unit which is installed at aninterior, and an outdoor unit which supplies a refrigerant to the indoorunit. One or more indoor units may be connected to the outdoor unit. Theair conditioner may perform a warming or cooling operation by supplyingthe refrigerant to the indoor unit. The warming operation or the coolingoperation of the air conditioner is determined by a flow of thecirculating refrigerant. .

The refrigerant compressed in a compressor of the outdoor unit isconverted into a middle temperature and high pressure liquidrefrigerant. When the liquid refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit,the refrigerant may evaporate while expanding in a heat exchanger of theindoor unit. The temperature of the air around the heat exchanger of theindoor unit is lowered due to evaporation of the refrigerant. The airnear the heat exchanger of the indoor unit of which the temperature islowered is discharged to the interior location when a fan of the indoorunit is rotated.

When a high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant is suppliedfrom the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, the hightemperature and high pressure gas refrigerant may be liquefied in theheat exchanger of the indoor unit. Energy discharged by liquefaction ofthe refrigerant increases the temperature of the air near the heatexchanger of the indoor unit. The air near the heat exchanger of theindoor unit of which the temperature is increased may be discharged tothe interior location when the fan of the indoor unit is rotated.

The air conditioner may include a subcooler which supercools therefrigerant condensed in a condenser before the condensed refrigerantexpands. The subcooler may include an internal tube through which a mainrefrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle flows, and an externaltube through which a branched refrigerant exchanging heat with the mainrefrigerant flows. The internal tube may be provided at an inner spaceof the external tube.

The branched refrigerant is a refrigerant which is at least partiallybranched from the main refrigerant. The branched refrigerant mayexchange heat with the main refrigerant after expansion thereof. In sucha heat exchanging process, the main refrigerant may be supercooled.

In the case of a conventional subcooler, while the main refrigerant andthe branched refrigerant flow, the internal tube may become in contactwith the external tube, and thus an impact noise may be generated, andalso a refrigerant flowing noise may be generated while the internaltube is shaken.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a subcooler which is able to haveenhanced durability and also to prevent generation of a noise due to aflow of a refrigerant, and an air conditioner including the same.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a subcooler includes asupercooling body to receive a first refrigerant passed through acondenser and a second refrigerant branched from the first refrigerant,a plurality of internal tubes provided inside the supercooling body andthrough which the first refrigerant flows, a flow path through which thesecond refrigerant flows, the flow path being a space external to theinternal tubes in the supercooling body, and a baffle to support atleast one of the internal tubes, wherein the baffle comprises a bafflebody having an outer circumferential surface that is coupled to thesupercooling body, a through-hole formed at the baffle body and throughwhich a first internal tube of the internal tubes passes, and a supportgroove to support a second internal tube of the internal tubes.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, air conditionerincludes a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a condenser to condensethe refrigerant passed through the compressor, and a sub-cooler tosupercool the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, wherein thesub-cooler comprises an external tube, a plurality of internal tubesprovided inside the external tube, a baffle to support the internaltubes, the baffle formed with a through-hole in which a first internaltube of the internal tubes is coupled and a support groove to support asecond internal tube of the internal tubes.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a subcoolerincludes a supercooling body to receive a first refrigerant and a secondrefrigerant branched from the first refrigerant, a plurality of internaltubes provided inside the supercooling body and through which the firstrefrigerant flows, a plurality of baffles to support the plurality ofinternal tubes, wherein each of the baffles comprise a baffle bodyhaving an outer circumferential surface that is coupled to an innercircumferential surface of the supercooling body, a through-hole formedin at least a portion of the baffle body and through which a firstinternal tube of the internal tubes passes, a plurality of supportgrooves that are spaced apart from the through-hole and support at leasta second internal tube of the internal tubes, and a groove connectionpart to connect ends of the supporting grooves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cycle view illustrating a configuration of an airconditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an external configuration of a subcooleraccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an internal configuration of the subcooleraccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration ofan internal tube and a baffle according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a state in which a refrigerant flows inthe subcooler according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the baffleaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the configuration of the baffleaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configurationof the subcooler according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages, features, and methods for achieving those of embodiments maybecome apparent upon referring to embodiments described later in detailtogether with the attached drawings. However, embodiments are notlimited to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, but may be embodied indifferent modes. The same reference numbers may refer to the sameelements throughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a cycle view illustrating a configuration of an airconditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 includes anoutdoor unit 100 which is provided at an exterior space, and an indoorunit which is provided at an interior space. The indoor unit may includean indoor heat exchanger to exchange heat with air in the indoor space.

The outdoor unit 100 may include a plurality of compressors 110 and 112,and oil separators 120 and 122 disposed at outlet sides of thecompressors 110 and 112 to separate oil from a refrigerant dischargedfrom the compressors 110 and 112.

The compressors 110 and 112 include a first compressor 110 and a secondcompressor 112 which are connected in parallel with each other. Forexample, the first compressor 110 may be a main compressor, and thesecond compressor 112 may be a sub compressor. The compressors 110 and112 are not limited to any particular number of compressors.

The first compressor 110 may be first operated, and then the secondcompressor 112 may be additionally operated. The first compressor 110and the second compressor 112 may include an inverter compressor.

An outlet pipe 111 extends from each of the outlet sides of the firstcompressor 110 and the second compressor 112. An outlet temperaturesensor 115 to detect a temperature of the refrigerant compressed in thefirst and second compressors 110 and 112 may be provided at the outletpipe 111.

The oil separators 120 and 122 include a first oil separator 120 whichis provided at the outlet side of the first compressor 110, and a secondoil separator 122 which is provided at the outlet side of the secondcompressor 112. The oil separators 120 and 122 are not limited to anyparticular number of oil separators.

The outdoor unit 100 may include an oil collection path 117 to collectoil from each of the first and second oil separators 120 and 122 anddirects the oil to each of the first and second compressors 110 and 112.The oil collection path 117 may extend from the first oil separator 120to the first compressor 110 and separately from the second oil separator122 to the second compressor 112.

An oil valve 118 to control an amount of the oil that is collected, anda first check valve 118 a to guide a one-way flow of the refrigerantfrom each of the first and second oil separators 120 and 122 to each ofthe first and second compressors 110 and 112, respectively, may beinstalled at the oil collection path 117.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include a bypass path 117 a whichextends from each of the first and second oil separators 120 and 122 tothe oil collection path 117.

A second check valve 124 may be provided at each of outlet sides of thefirst and second oil separators 120 and 122. The refrigerant dischargedfrom each of the first and second oil separators 120 and 122 passesthrough the second check valve 124 and then combined.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include a high pressure sensor 125 todetect a high pressure of the compressed refrigerant, and a highpressure switch 126 to selectively block a flow of the refrigerantaccording to the pressure detected by the high pressure sensor 125. Thehigh pressure sensor 125 and the high pressure switch 126 may beprovided at a pipe for the refrigerant which is passed through thesecond check valve 124 and combined.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include flow switching parts 130 and135 to switch a flowing direction of the refrigerant. The flow switchingparts 130 and 135 may include a first flow switching part 130 and asecond flow switching part 135 to guide the refrigerant passed throughthe high pressure sensor 125 toward an outdoor heat exchanger 140 or theindoor unit.

The first and second flow switching parts 130 and 135 may be connectedin series. For example, the first and second flow switching parts 130and 135 may include a four-way valve of which one inlet and outlet portsare blocked.

When the air conditioner 10 performs a cooling operation, therefrigerant is introduced from the first flow switching part 130 intothe outdoor heat exchanger 140, and the refrigerant evaporated in theindoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit is introduced into a gas-liquidseparator 160 through a low pressure engine 195.

However, when the air conditioner 10 performs a warming operation, therefrigerant flows from the second flow switching part 135 toward theindoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit through a high pressure engine196, and the refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 140 isintroduced into the gas-liquid separator 160 through the first flowswitching part 130.

The outdoor heat exchanger 140 may include a plurality of heatexchanging parts 141 and 142 and an outdoor fan 143. The plurality ofheat exchanging parts 141 and 142 may include a first heat exchangingpart 141 and a second heat exchanging part 142 that may be connected inparallel. The heat exchanging parts 141 and 142 are not limited to anyparticular number of heat exchanging parts.

In the cooling operation, the refrigerant passed through the first flowswitching part 130 may be restricted by a check valve 145 a from flowingto the second heat exchanging part 142, and may be introduced into thefirst heat exchanging part 141.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include a first heat exchanging parttemperature sensor 140 a to detect a temperature of the refrigerant inthe first heat exchanging part 141, a second heat exchanging parttemperature sensor 140 b to detect a temperature of the refrigerant inthe second heat exchanging part 142, and an outdoor temperature sensor140 c to detect a temperature of external air.

The outdoor heat exchanger 140 may further include a variable path 144to guide the flow of the refrigerant from an outlet side of the firstheat exchanging part 141 to an inlet side of the second heat exchangingpart 142. The variable path 144 may extend from an outlet side pipe 147of the first heat exchanging part 141 to an inlet side pipe of thesecond heat exchanging part 142.

A variable valve 145 may be provided at the variable path 144 toselectively block the flow of the refrigerant. Accordingly, therefrigerant passed through the first heat exchanging part 141 may beselectively introduced into the second heat exchanging part 142according to ON/OFF control of the variable valve 145. The variablevalve 145 may include a solenoid valve.

For example, when the variable valve 145 is switched on, the refrigerantpassed through the first heat exchanging part 141 is introduced into thesecond heat exchanging part 142 through the variable path 144. At thispoint, a first outdoor valve 147 a which may be provided at the outletside pipe 147 of the first heat exchanging part 141 may be closed.

A second outdoor valve 148 a may be provided at an outlet side pipe 148of the second heat exchanging part 142, and the refrigerant whichexchanges heat in the second heat exchanging part 142 may be introducedinto a first subcooler 150 through the opened second outdoor valve 148a.

However, when the variable valve 145 is switched off, the flow of therefrigerant toward the second heat exchanging part 142 is restricted,and the refrigerant passed through the first heat exchanging part 141may be introduced into the first subcooler 150 through the first outdoorvalve 147 a.

Here, the first outdoor valve 147 a and the second outdoor valve 148 amay be arranged in parallel corresponding to an arrangement of the firstand second heat exchanging parts 141 and 142. For example, the first andsecond outdoor valves 147 a and 148 a may include an electronicexpansion valve (EEV) to depressurize the refrigerant.

A first bypass pipe 149 a and a second bypass pipe 149 b are connectedto the outlet side pipe 147 of the first heat exchanging part 141 andthe outlet side pipe 148 of the second heat exchanging part 142,respectively.

The first bypass pipe 149 a and the second bypass pipe 149 b extend froman inlet side of the first flow switching part 130 to the outlet sidepipes 147 and 148, and selectively bypass the high pressure refrigerantdischarged from the first and second compressors 110 and 112 toward thefirst and second heat exchanging parts 141 and 142. A first bypass valve149 c and a second bypass valve 149 d to control an opening degree maybe installed at the first and second bypass pipes 149 a and 149 b.

A heat exchanging part bypass pipe which bypasses the second outdoorvalve 148 a, and a third check valve 148 b which is installed at theheat exchanging part bypass pipe are further provided at the outlet sidepipe 148 of the second heat exchanging part 142.

First and second subcoolers 150 and 170 are provided at an outlet sideof the outdoor heat exchanger 140. The first and second subcoolers 150and 170 include the first subcooler 150 and a second subcooler 170.

When the air conditioner 10 operates the cooling operation, therefrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 140 may pass, inturn, through the first subcooler 150 and the second subcooler 170.However, when the air conditioner 10 operates the warming operation, therefrigerant passed through the second subcooler 170 may be introducedinto the first subcooler 150.

For example, the first subcooler 150 may be a first intermediate heatexchanger in which a first refrigerant circulating in a refrigerantsystem and some (a second refrigerant) of the first refrigerant arebranched and then exchange heat. The second refrigerant which exchangesheat in the first subcooler 150 may be injected to the first and secondcompressors 110 and 112.

The outdoor unit 100 may include a first supercooling path 151 whichbranches and guides the second refrigerant to the first subcooler 150.The first supercooling path 151 may extend from the first subcooler 150to the first and second compressors 110 and 112.

A first supercooling expansion device 153 to depressurize the secondrefrigerant may be installed at the first supercooling path 151. Thefirst supercooling expansion device 153 may include the EEV.

A plurality of temperature sensors 154 and 155 may be provided at thefirst supercooling path 151. The plurality of temperature sensors 154and 155 may include a first temperature sensor 154 to detect atemperature of the refrigerant before the refrigerant is introduced intothe first subcooler 150, and a second temperature sensor 155 to detect atemperature of the refrigerant after the refrigerant passes through thefirst subcooler 150.

The first refrigerant may be supercooled and the second refrigerant maybe heated while the first refrigerant and the second refrigerantexchange heat in the first subcooler 150.

A “first superheat degree” of the second refrigerant may be recognizedbased on a temperature value of the refrigerant that is detected by eachof the first temperature sensor 154 and the second temperature sensor155. For example, the first superheat degree may be a value obtained bysubtracting a temperature value detected by the first temperature sensor154 from a temperature value detected by the second temperature sensor155.

The second refrigerant which exchanges heat in the first subcooler 150may be branched and then may be injected to the first and secondcompressors 110 and 112. The first supercooling path 151 may be referredto as a “first injection path”. For example, the first supercooling path151 may be branched into a first branching path 156 a and a secondbranching path 156 b, and then may be connected to the first and secondcompressors 110 and 112, respectively. The first and second branchingpaths 156 a and 156 b together may be understood as the first injectionpath.

A portion of the refrigerant in the first supercooling path 151 whichexchanges heat in the first subcooler 150 may be injected into a firstinjection port of the first compressor 110 via the first branching path156 a. The remaining refrigerant in the first supercooling path 151which exchanges heat in the first subcooler 150 may be injected into afirst injection port of the second compressor 112 via the secondbranching path 156 b. At this point, the refrigerant injected to thefirst and second compressors 110 and 112 may have an intermediatepressure that is greater than a suction pressure of the compressor andless than an outlet pressure thereof.

A first branching part 158 may be provided at an outlet side of thefirst subcooler 150. The first refrigerant passed through the firstsubcooler 150 may be branched at the first branching part 158, and oneportion thereof may be introduced into an electronic component coolingpart 159, and another portion thereof may be introduced into a receiver162. The electronic component cooling part 159 may pass through one sideof an electronic component part at which heat generating components areinstalled, and may cool the heat generating components.

The second subcooler 170 may be installed at an outlet side of theelectronic component cooling part 159. The first subcooler 150, theelectronic component cooling part 159 and the second subcooler 170 maybe arranged in series.

In the cooling operation, the first refrigerant which exchanges heat inthe first subcooler 150 may be introduced into the second subcooler 170via the electronic component cooling part 159. However, in the warmingoperation, the refrigerant which exchanges heat in the second subcooler170 may be introduced into the first subcooler 150 via the electroniccomponent cooling part 159.

The second subcooler 170 may be understood as a second intermediate heatexchanger in which the first refrigerant circulating in the refrigerantsystem and some (the second refrigerant) of the refrigerant are branchedand then exchange heat.

The outdoor unit 100 may include a second supercooling path 171 to whichthe second refrigerant is branched. A supercooling expansion device 173to depressurize the second refrigerant may be installed at the secondsupercooling path 171. The supercooling expansion device 173 may includethe EEV.

A plurality of temperature sensors 174 and 175 may be provided at thesecond supercooling path 171. The plurality of temperature sensors 174and 175 may include a third temperature sensor 174 to detect atemperature of the refrigerant before the refrigerant is introduced intothe second subcooler 170, and a fourth temperature sensor 175 to detecta temperature of the refrigerant after the refrigerant passes throughthe second subcooler 170.

The first refrigerant may be supercooled and the second refrigerant maybe heated while the first refrigerant and the second refrigerantexchange heat in the second subcooler 170.

A “second superheat degree” of the second refrigerant may be recognizedbased on a temperature value of the refrigerant detected by each of thethird temperature sensor 174 and the fourth temperature sensor 175. Forexample, the “second superheat degree” may be a value obtained bysubtracting a temperature value detected by the third temperature sensor174 from a temperature value detected by the fourth temperature sensor175.

The second refrigerant which exchanges heat in the second subcooler 170may be injected to the first and second compressors 110 and 112, or maybe bypassed to the gas-liquid separator 160.

The second supercooling path 171 may include second injection paths 176a and 176 b through which the refrigerant is injected to the first andsecond compressors 110 and 112, and a second branching part 182 which isbranched to a bypass path 181 for bypassing the refrigerant to thegas-liquid separator 160.

The second injection paths 176 a and 176 b may include a third branchingpath 176 a and a fourth branching path 176 b which may extend to thefirst and second compressors 110 and 112, respectively. The thirdbranching path 176 a may be connected to a second injection port of thefirst compressor 110, and the fourth branching path 176 b may beconnected to a second injection port of the second compressor 112.

An injection valve 177 to control a flow rate of the refrigerant may beinstalled at the third and fourth branching paths 176 a and 176 b. Theinjection valve 177 may include the EEV to control an opening degreethereof.

One portion of the refrigerant in the second supercooling path 171 whichexchanges heat in the second subcooler 170 may be branched at the secondbranching part 182, and may be injected to the second injection port ofthe first compressor 110 via the third branching path 176 a. Anotherportion branched at the second branching part 182 may be injected to thesecond injection port of the second compressor 112 via the fourthbranching path 176 b. At this point, the injected refrigerant has theintermediate pressure which is greater than the suction pressure of thecompressor and less than the outlet pressure thereof. Meanwhile, thegas-liquid separator 160 functions to separate a gas refrigerant beforethe refrigerant is introduced into the first and second compressors 110and 112.

The gas-liquid separator 160 may be integrally formed with the receiver162. For example, the outdoor unit 100 may include a refrigerant storingtank which has the gas-liquid separator 160 and the receiver 162, and apartition part to divide or separate an internal space of therefrigerant storing tank. The gas-liquid separator 160 may be providedat a lower side of the partition part in the internal space of therefrigerant storing tank, and the receiver 162 may be provided at anupper side thereof.

The outdoor unit 100 further may include a low pressure pipe 184 whichextends from each of the first and second flow switching parts 130 and135 to the gas-liquid separator 160. The low pressure refrigerantevaporated in the refrigerant cycle may be introduced from the firstflow switching part 130 or the second flow switching part 135 into thegas-liquid separator 160 via the low pressure pipe 184.

The gas-liquid separator 160 may include a first gas-liquid separationport to which the low pressure pipe 184 is connected, and a secondgas-liquid separation port to which the bypass path 181 is connected.The bypass path 181 may extend from the second branching part 182 to thesecond gas-liquid separation port of the gas-liquid separator 160.

A bypass valve 183 to selectively block the flow of the refrigerant maybe provided at the bypass path 181. The bypass valve 183 may control(e.g., by an ON/OFF control) an amount of the refrigerant introducedinto the gas-liquid separator 160. The bypass valve 183 may include asolenoid valve.

The receiver 162 may store at least some of the refrigerant circulatingin the system.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include a receiver inlet path 163 whichis connected to an inlet side of the receiver 162. The receiver inletpath 163 may extend from the first branching part 158 to the receiver162.

A receiver inlet valve 164 a to control the flow of the refrigerant maybe provided at the receiver inlet path 163. Accordingly, when thereceiver inlet valve 164 a is opened, at least some of the refrigerantcirculating in the system may be introduced into the receiver 162. Thereceiver inlet valve 164 a may include a solenoid valve.

A depressurizing device 164 b may be provided at the receiver inlet path163 to depressurize the refrigerant introduced into the receiver 162.The depressurizing device 164 b may include a capillary tube.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include a receiver outlet pipe 165which extends from the receiver 162 to the gas-liquid separator 160. Atleast some of the refrigerant stored in the receiver 162 may beintroduced into the gas-liquid separator 160 through the receiver outletpipe 165. A gas-liquid separation port to which the receiver outlet pipe165 is connected may be provided at an upper portion of the gas-liquidseparator 160.

A receiver outlet valve 166 to control an amount of the refrigerantdischarged from the receiver 162 may be provided at the receiver outletpipe 165. The amount of the refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquidseparator 160 may be controlled according to ON/OFF of the receiveroutlet valve 166 or the opening degree thereof. The receiver outletvalve 166 may include a solenoid valve.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include a suction pipe 169 whichextends from the gas-liquid separator 160 toward each of the first andsecond compressors 110 and 112 and guides suctioning of the refrigerantto the compressor. The suction pipe 169 may be branched and connected toa first port of the first compressor 110 and a first port of the secondcompressor 112.

A low pressure sensor 169 a to detect a pressure of the refrigerantintroduced into the first and second compressors 110 and 112, i.e., alow pressure of the system, may be installed at the suction pipe 169.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include an oil return pipe 190 whichextends from the gas-liquid separator 160 to the suction pipe 169. Oilstored in the gas-liquid separator 160 may be introduced into thesuction pipe 169 through the oil return pipe 190. An oil valve 191 tocontrol a flow rate of the oil may be installed at the oil return pipe190. The oil valve 191 may include a solenoid valve.

The outdoor unit 100 may further include oil supply pipes 119 to supplythe oil in the first and second compressors 110 and 112 to the suctionpipe 169. The oil supply pipes 119 may extend from the first and secondcompressors 110 and 112, respectively, and are combined with each other,and then connected to the suction pipe 169.

Meanwhile, the first refrigerant passed through the second subcooler 170may be introduced into the indoor unit through a liquid pipe 197. Aliquid pipe temperature sensor 197 a to detect a temperature of therefrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe 197 may be installed at theliquid pipe 197.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an external configuration of the subcooleraccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a viewillustrating an internal configuration of the subcooler according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspectiveview illustrating a configuration of an internal tube and a baffleaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 is aview illustrating a state in which the refrigerant flows in thesubcooler according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, a subcooler 200 may include a first subcooler150 or a second subcooler 170, such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

For example, the subcooler 200 may include a supercooling body 210 as anexternal tube, and a first introduction part 211 provided at one side ofthe supercooling body 210 and in which the first refrigerant isintroduced.

The supercooling body 210 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, but isnot limited thereto. For example, the supercooling body 210 may includea body part 210 a of which both side ends are opened, and a cap 210 b toblock each of the side ends of the body part 210 a. A flowing space inwhich the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant flow may beformed inside the supercooling body 210.

The subcooler 200 may include a supercooling path 220 through which thesecond refrigerant branched from the first refrigerant flows, and asupercooling expansion device 221 which is provided at the supercoolingpath 220 to depressurize the second refrigerant. The supercooling path220 may include the first supercooling path 151 or the secondsupercooling path 171 which is illustrated in FIG. 1, and thesupercooling expansion device 221 may include the first supercoolingexpansion device 153 or the second supercooling expansion device 173.

The supercooling path 220 may include a second introduction part 223through which the second refrigerant is introduced into the supercoolingbody 210. The second refrigerant may be depressurized in thesupercooling expansion device 221, and then introduced into thesupercooling body 210 through the second introduction part 223.

The first refrigerant introduced through the first introduction part 211may flow through a plurality of internal tubes 240, and the secondrefrigerant introduced through the second introduction part 223 may flowthrough an external space of the plurality of internal tubes 240. Duringsuch process, heat may be exchanged between the first refrigerant andthe second refrigerant.

The subcooler 200 may include a first discharge part 215 through whichthe first refrigerant is discharged. The first discharge part 215 may becoupled to the cap 210 b. The first introduction part 211 may beprovided at one side of the supercooling body 210, and the firstdischarge part 215 may be provided at the other side of the supercoolingbody 210. It is understood that the other side is a side opposite to theone side. The first refrigerant discharged through the first dischargepart 215 may exchange heat with the second refrigerant, and then may bedischarged in a supercooled state.

The subcooler 200 may include a second discharge part 225 through whichthe second refrigerant is discharged. The second refrigerant dischargedthrough the second discharge part 225 may be discharged in a heatedstate while exchanging heat with the first refrigerant.

The subcooler 200 may include the plurality of internal tubes 240 whichare provided inside the supercooling body 210 to guide the flow of thefirst refrigerant, and a plurality of supporting members 231 and 235 tosupport both sides of the plurality of internal tubes 240.

The plurality of internal tubes 240 may be spaced apart from each other,and may extend from an inside of the first introduction part 211 towardthe first discharge part 215. The plurality of supporting members 231and 235 may include a first supporting member 231 which is coupled toone sides of the plurality of internal tubes 240, and a secondsupporting member 235 which is coupled to the other sides of theplurality of internal tubes 240.

The first supporting member 231 may include a first supporting body 232which may have a circular plate shape (not limited thereto), and aplurality of first coupling holes 233 which are formed at the firstsupporting body 232 and in which one sides of the plurality of internaltubes 240 are inserted. The second supporting member 235 may include asecond supporting body 236 which may have a circular plate shape (notlimited thereto), and a plurality of second coupling holes 237 which areformed at the second supporting body 236 and in which the other sides ofthe plurality of internal tubes 240 are inserted.

The first refrigerant introduced into the supercooling body 210 throughthe first introduction part 211 may be branched and introduced into theplurality of internal tubes 240. For example, the first refrigerant maybe introduced into a space between the cap 210 b and the firstsupporting member 231, and may be branched to the plurality of internaltubes 240.

The first refrigerant in the plurality of internal tubes 240 may flowtoward the first discharge part 215, and may be combined in a spacebetween the second supporting member 235 and the cap 210 b. And thecombined first refrigerant may be discharged from the subcooler 200through the first discharge part 215.

A baffle 250 may be provided inside the supercooling body 210. It isunderstood that the baffle 250 may support the plurality of internaltubes 240 and prevent the plurality of internal tubes 240 from beingshaken.

A plurality of baffles 250 may be provided. The plurality of baffles 250may be installed between the first and second supporting members 231 and235.

For example, the plurality of baffles 250 may be spaced apart from eachother in a lengthwise direction of the plurality of internal tubes 240.The “lengthwise direction” of the plurality of internal tubes 240 isunderstood to be a direction that the plurality of internal tubes 240extend, and may also be understood as a direction that the firstrefrigerant flows, i.e., a direction from the first introduction part211 toward the first discharge part 215.

For example, the plurality of baffles 250 may include a first baffle 250a, a second baffle 250 b, a third baffle 250 c and a fourth baffle 250 dwhich are arranged, in turn, from a side of the first introduction part211 toward the first discharge part 215. It is understood that thenumber of the baffles 250 is not limited thereto.

The plurality of baffles 250 a, 250 b, 250 c and 250 d may be providedat alternate positions inside the supercooling body 210. For example,referring to FIG. 5, a part of the baffles based on the flow of thefirst refrigerant from the side of the first introduction part 211toward the first discharge part 215, e.g., the first and third baffles250 a and 250 c may be located at an upper side of a center of thesupercooling body 210, and the second and fourth baffles 250 b and 250 dmay be located at a lower side of the center of the supercooling body210 relative to the first and third baffles 250 a and 250 c. In otherwords, the first and third baffles 250 a and 250 c may support upperportions of the plurality of internal tubes 240, and the second andfourth baffles 250 b and 250 d may support lower portions of theplurality of internal tubes 240.

By such an arrangement of the plurality of baffles 250 a, 250 b, 250 cand 250 d, the second refrigerant may alternately flow through aninternal lower space and an internal upper space of the supercoolingbody 210.

For example, the second refrigerant introduced into the supercoolingbody 210 through the second introduction part 223 flows through a spacebetween the first and second supporting members 231 and 235. Because theplurality of baffles 250 a, 250 b, 250 c and 250 d serve as blockingparts to restrict the flow of the second refrigerant, the secondrefrigerant may avoid the plurality of baffles 250 a, 250 b, 250 c and250 d, and thus a flowing direction thereof may be changed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second refrigerant may alternately flowupward and downward while flowing from the second introduction part 223toward the second discharge part 225. In this process, the secondrefrigerant may exchange heat with the first refrigerant in theplurality of internal tubes 240, and may evenly exchange heat with theplurality of internal tubes 240 while alternately flowing upward anddownward.

The second refrigerant may be depressurized in the supercoolingexpansion device 221, and thus may be in a two-phase state. Therefore, agas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant may be appropriately mixed dueto the alternate flow thereof, and thus heat-exchange efficiency withthe first refrigerant may be improved.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the baffleaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 7 is a frontview illustrating the configuration of the baffle according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectionalview illustrating an internal configuration of the subcooler accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the baffle 250 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure may have an approximatelysemicircular shape (not limited thereto). For example, the baffle 250may include a baffle body 251 which may have an arc-shaped outercircumferential surface 252. The outer circumferential surface 252 maybe coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the supercooling body210. The baffle body 251 may serve as a blocking part to restrict theflow of the second refrigerant.

A through-hole 255 through which a part of the plurality of internaltubes 240 pass may be formed at the baffle 250. The through-hole 255 mayhave a circular shape corresponding to an outer circumferential surfaceof a part of the plurality of internal tubes 240. A plurality ofthrough-holes 255 may be provided. It is understood that the inventiondoes not limit the through-hole 255 to any particular shape.

The baffle 250 may include a supporting groove 253 which is spaced apartfrom the through-hole 255 so as to support the other part of theplurality of internal tubes 240. The supporting groove 253 may be formedby recessing at least a part of the baffle body 251. For example, thesupporting groove 253 may have an arc shape. It is understood that theinvention does not limit the supporting groove 253 to any particularshape.

When imaginary radial lines which connect both ends of the supportinggroove 253 from a center C of the supporting groove 253 are defined, anangle of the radial lines, i.e., a central angle θ of the arc may be 180degrees or more. And the center of the supporting groove 253 and thecenter of the supercooling body 210 may be concentrically formed.

A plurality of supporting grooves 253 may be provided. The baffle 250may include a groove connection part 254 to connect one of the pluralityof supporting grooves 253 with the other one of the plurality ofsupporting grooves 253. The groove connection part 254 may form a partof the baffle body 251, and may connect an end of one supporting groove253 with an end of another supporting groove 253.

A reference line Al which bisects the baffle 250 is defined. The baffle250 may have a symmetrical shape with respect to the reference line Al.The baffle 250 may include a reference point 256 which is defined as apoint at which the reference line Al intersects the outercircumferential surface 252.

The plurality of internal tubes 240 may be arranged in a multistageconfiguration in the supercooling body 210. For example, the pluralityof internal tubes 240 may include a first row pipe part 241 which isprovided at a lower portion inside the supercooling body 210, a secondrow pipe part 243 which is provided to be spaced apart upward from thefirst row pipe part 241, and a third row pipe part 245 which is providedto be spaced apart upward from the second row pipe part 243.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, pipes forming the first row pipepart 241, pipes forming the second row pipe part 243, and pipes formingthe third row pipe part 245, are arranged at the same heights,respectively. Here, the height may be understood as a distance in adirection that the reference line A1 extends from a first reference linel1 which is in contact with the reference point 256 when it is assumedthat the reference point 256 is a starting point.

A second reference line l2 which passes centers of the pipes forming thefirst row pipe part 241, a third reference line l3 which passes centersof the pipes forming the second row pipe part 243, and a fourthreference line l4 which passes centers of the pipes forming the thirdrow pipe part 245 may be defined.

A distance between the first row pipe part 241 and the second row pipepart 243 may be substantially the same as a distance between the secondrow pipe part 243 and the third row pipe part 245. A distance betweenthe pipes forming each of the first to third row pipe parts 241, 243 and245 may also be substantially the same. Therefore, the plurality ofinternal tubes 240 may be evenly disposed inside the supercooling body210.

A height of the baffle 250, i.e., a height of the groove connection part254, may be formed to be ½ or more of a diameter of the supercoolingbody 210. If the height of the baffle 250 is ½ or less of the diameterof the supercooling body 210, a supporting force of the plurality ofinternal tubes 240, in particular, a supporting force of the second rowpipe part 243 decreases, and thus it is restricted from preventingvibration of the internal tubes 240.

To prevent this, the height of the baffle 250 according to theembodiment, i.e., the height H of the groove connection part 254, may beformed higher than a height H1 corresponding to ½ of the diameter of thesupercooling body 210.

Meanwhile, the baffle 250 may be formed to support the first and secondrow pipe parts 241 and 243 and also to be spaced apart from the thirdrow pipe part 245. That is, the baffle 250 may be formed at a heightwhich does not support the internal tube 240 located at the highestposition, i.e., the pipes of the third row pipe part 245.

As described above, because the baffle 250 serves as the blocking partto restrict the flow of the second refrigerant, when the baffle 250 hasa very large cross section or is disposed to completely divide aninternal space of the supercooling body 210, flow performance of thesecond refrigerant may be decreased.

For example, when the baffle 250 is formed at a height to support thepipes of the third row pipe part 245, the flowing space 218 may be toosmall. It is understood that the flowing space 218 may be a space of anexternal space of the internal tubes 240 which is not blocked by thebaffle 250 and in which the second refrigerant flows.

For example, to effectively support the third row pipe part 245, thebaffle 250 should be located higher than a height of a center of thethird row pipe part 245. However, in this case, the flowing space 218may be too small, and thus the flow performance of the secondrefrigerant may be decreased. Accordingly, the height H of the baffle250 should be formed equal to or lower than a height H3 corresponding toa lower end of the third row pipe part 245.

Meanwhile, the height H of the baffle 250 may be formed equal to orlower than a height H2 corresponding to an upper end of the second rowpipe part 243. However, when the height H of the baffle 250 is formedhigher than the height H2, an upper end of the baffle 250 is located tooclose to the third row pipe part 245, and thus the third row pipe part245 may be shaken while the second refrigerant flows, and thus a noisemay be generated due to contact between the third row pipe part 245 andthe baffle 250.

When the height H of the baffle 250 is equal to the height H2, the upperend of the baffle 250 is formed at a position which is in contact withthe second row pipe part 243. However, in this case, it is relativelydifficult to machine the baffle 250 or the supporting groove 253.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the height H ofthe baffle 250 is formed lower than the height H2. The height H of thebaffle 250 may be formed higher than the height H1 and lower than theheight H2. It is understood that height H1 is referred to as a firstheight, and height H2 is referred to as a second height.

Meanwhile, the groove connection part 254 may be spaced apart from thethird row pipe part 245 by a value corresponding to a distance d1between the adjacent internal tubes 240. For example, when an imaginaryconcentric circle P1 which has a radius r set from the center of thepipe of the third row pipe part 245 and is in contact with the pipe ofthe second row pipe part 243 is defined, the groove connection part 254may be provided at a position which is in contact with the imaginaryconcentric circle P1.

The height H of the baffle 250 or the groove connection part 254 may beformed higher than the first height H1 and lower than the second heightH2. In other words, the height H of the baffle 250 or the grooveconnection part 254 may be formed higher than the height H1 which is ½or more of the diameter of the supercooling body 210 and lower than theheight H2 of the internal tubes 240 supported by the supporting groove253, i.e., the upper end of the second row pipe part 243.

By such structure, the baffle 250 may effectively support the pluralityof internal tubes 240, vibration of the internal tubes 240 may beprevented, the noise due to the vibration may be prevented, and the flowperformance of the second refrigerant and heat exchanging efficiency maybe improved.

According to the embodiment, because the plurality of internal tubes areprovided at the subcooler, and thus the heat exchanging between the mainrefrigerant and the branched refrigerant can be performed, thesupercooling of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser can be moreefficiently performed.

Moreover, because the baffle which supports at least a part of theplurality of internal tubes is provided, the vibration of the internaltubes and the noise due to the vibration can be prevented.

Moreover, because the through-hole through which a part of therefrigerant pipe passes and the supporting groove which supports a partof an outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe are providedat the baffle, the internal tubes can be effectively supported.Additionally, because the baffle is not located at the space between theplurality of internal tubes, noise generated due to the contact betweenthe baffle and the internal tubes can be prevented.

Moreover, because an optimal height value or range of the grooveconnection part can be proposed in one direction from the symmetricreference point of the baffle, the refrigerant can more smoothly flow,and noise due to the flow of the refrigerant can be reduced.

Moreover, because the plurality of baffles can be alternately arranged,corresponding to a flowing direction of the refrigerant in thesubcooler, at one side and the other side based on a center of thesubcooler, the heat exchanging between the main flow in the plurality ofinternal tubes and the branched flow in the supercooling body can bemore efficiently performed.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A subcooler, comprising: a supercooling body toreceive a first refrigerant passed through a condenser and a secondrefrigerant branched from the first refrigerant; a plurality of internaltubes provided inside the supercooling body and through which the firstrefrigerant flows; a flow path through which the second refrigerantflows, the flow path being a space external to the internal tubes in thesupercooling body; and a baffle to support at least one of the internaltubes, wherein the baffle comprises: a baffle body having an outercircumferential surface that is coupled to the supercooling body, athrough-hole formed at the baffle body and through which a firstinternal tube of the internal tubes passes, and a support groove tosupport a second internal tube of the internal tubes.
 2. The subcoolerof claim 1, wherein the support groove is a recessed portion of thebaffle body.
 3. The subcooler of claim 2, wherein a plurality of supportgrooves are provided, and the baffle body comprises a groove connectionpart that connects a first support groove of the support grooves with asecond support groove of the support grooves.
 4. The subcooler of claim3, wherein at least one of the support grooves is formed having an arcshape, and a central angle (θ) of the arc is at least 180 degrees. 5.The subcooler of claim 3, wherein the supercooling body is formed havinga cylindrical shape, and an outer circumferential surface of the bafflebody is coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the supercoolingbody.
 6. The subcooler of claim 5, wherein the baffle is shaped so thatit is symmetric about a reference line (A1), the outer circumferentialsurface of the baffle body comprises a reference point that intersectsthe reference line (A1), and a height (H) of the groove connection partis above a height (H1) corresponding to ½ of a diameter of thesupercooling body, whereby the height (H) of the groove connection partcorresponds to a direction that the reference line (A1) extends from thereference point.
 7. The subcooler of claim 6, wherein the height (H) ofthe groove connection part is less than a height (H2) of an upper end ofthe other internal tube in the direction that the reference line (A1)extends from the reference point.
 8. The subcooler of claim 3, whereinthe plurality of internal tubes comprises: a first row pipe part inwhich a first plurality of pipes are arranged; a second row pipe partthat is spaced apart from the first row pipe part and in which a secondplurality of pipes are arranged; and a third row pipe part that isspaced apart from the second row pipe part and in which a thirdplurality pipes are arranged.
 9. The subcooler of claim 8, wherein thefirst row pipe part is coupled with the through-hole of the baffle, thesecond row pipe part is supported by the supporting groove of thebaffle, and the third row pipe part is spaced apart from the baffle. 10.The subcooler of claim 9, wherein the groove connection part is providedat a position that intersects with an imaginary concentric circle (P1),whereby the imaginary concentric circle (P1) has a radius (r) that isset apart from a center of the third row pipe part and intersects withthe second row pipe part.
 11. An air conditioner comprising: acompressor to compress a refrigerant; a condenser to condense therefrigerant passed through the compressor; and a sub-cooler to supercoolthe refrigerant condensed in the condenser, wherein the sub-coolercomprises: an external tube, a plurality of internal tubes providedinside the external tube, and a baffle to support the internal tubes,the baffle formed with a through-hole in which a first internal tube ofthe internal tubes is coupled and a support groove to support a secondinternal tube of the internal tubes.
 12. The air conditioner of claim11, wherein a plurality of baffles are provided, the baffles beingprovided at an internal upper portion or an internal lower portion ofthe external tube with respect to a refrigerant flow direction.
 13. Theair conditioner of claim 11, wherein a plurality of baffles areprovided, the baffles being alternately disposed at an internal upperportion and an internal lower portion of the external tube with respectto a refrigerant flow direction.
 14. The air conditioner of claim 11,wherein the baffle comprises: an outer circumferential surface beingsupported by an inner circumferential surface of the external tube, anda reference point which is a point on the outer circumferential surfacethat intersects a reference line (A1) which symmetrically bisects thebaffle, whereby a height (H) of the baffle in a direction correspondingto the reference line (A1) is greater than a height (H1) correspondingto ½ of a diameter of the first external tube and less than a height(H2) of an upper end of the second internal tube.
 15. The airconditioner of claim 11, wherein a plurality of subcoolers are provided,and the subcoolers comprise a first subcooler and a second subcoolerwhich are connected in series.
 16. A subcooler comprising: asupercooling body to receive a first refrigerant and a secondrefrigerant branched from the first refrigerant; a plurality of internaltubes provided inside the supercooling body and through which the firstrefrigerant flows; and a plurality of baffles to support the pluralityof internal tubes, wherein each of the baffles comprise: a baffle bodyhaving an outer circumferential surface that is coupled to an innercircumferential surface of the supercooling body; a through-hole formedin at least a portion of the baffle body and through which a firstinternal tube of the internal tubes passes; a plurality of supportgrooves that are spaced apart from the through-hole and support at leasta second internal tube of the internal tubes; and a groove connectionpart to connect ends of the supporting grooves.
 17. The subcooler ofclaim 16, wherein a center of the supercooling body is concentric with acenter of one of the supporting grooves.
 18. The subcooler of claim 16,further comprising first and second supporting members which supportfirst and second sides of the plurality of internal tubes, wherein thebaffles are provided between the first and second supporting members.19. The subcooler of claim 16, wherein the supercooling body comprises:a body part having a first and a second end that are open and a firstand a second introduction part through which the first and the secondrefrigerants are respectively introduced; and a cap to block the firstand second ends of the body part, the cap having a first discharge partthrough which the first refrigerant is discharged.
 20. The subcooler ofclaim 16, wherein the plurality of internal tubes comprises: a first rowpipe part in which a first plurality of pipes are arranged; a second rowpipe part that is spaced apart from the first row pipe part and in whicha second plurality of pipes are arranged; and a third row pipe part thatis spaced apart from the second row pipe part and in which a thirdplurality of pipes are arranged, and wherein the plurality of bafflessupport the first and second plurality of pipes , and are spaced apartfrom third plurality of pipes.